Article-support shoulder bracket

ABSTRACT

An article-support shoulder bracket comprising a shoulder engaging hook portion at the upper end thereof and a chest engaging portion at the lower end thereof. A flexible strap is secured at one end to the shoulder bracket adjacent the lower end thereof and has a first fastening element at its other end. A second fastening element is secured to the shoulder bracket above the lower end thereof. The first and second fastening elements may be selectively connected together to form the strap into a loop element capable of supporting an article thereon such as a briefcase, garment bag or the like.

United States Patent 1 51 Aug. 8, 1972 Richey [54] ARTICLE-SUPPORT SHOULDER BRACKET [72] Inventor; Clifford C. Rich ey, Scottsdale, Ariz.

[73] Assignee: Richeys Incorporated, Des Moines,

Iowa [22] Filed: July 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 51,626

[52] US. Cl. ..224/5 R, 224/5 N [51] Int. Cl. ..A45f 3/02.

[58] Field of Search...224/45 T, 5 A, 5 H, 5 W, 5.14, 224/5.I5, 5.16, 5.l7, 5.26, 25, 55

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,273,201 7/l9l8 Teuber ..224/s.14 2,536,394 1/1951 Roberts ..224/s.9

Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte 1 ABSTRACT An article-support shoulder bracket comprising a shoulder engaging hook portion at the upper end thereof and a chest engaging portion at the lower end thereof. A flexible strap is secured at one end to the shoulder bracket adjacent the lower end thereof and has a first fastening element at its other end. A second fastening element is secured to the shoulder bracket above the lower end thereof. The first and second fastening elements may be selectively connected together to form the strap into a loop element capable of supporting an article thereon such as a briefcase, garment bag or the like.

2Claims,4DrawingFigures 12/1902 Gimmig et a]. ..224/52 ARTICLE-SUPPORT SHOULDER BRACKET Experienced air travelers have found it advantageous to carry-on" as much baggage as possible to avoid the inevitable wait for the baggage to be unloaded from the airplane. Most of these persons carry-on" a garment bag and one or more briefcases or the like. However, it is sometimes difficult for the person to conveniently handle all of this carry-on baggage.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an article-support shoulder bracket.

A further object of this invention is to provide an article-support shoulder bracket which is convenient to use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an article-support shoulder bracket for supporting garment bags, brief cases, or the like therefrom.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ar-' ticle-support shoulder bracket which is comfortable.

A further object of this invention is to provide an article-support shoulder bracket which is convenient to use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an article-support shoulder bracket which is durable in use apparent to those gage the chest 30 of the wearer. The strap 18 is extended through the handle 32 of the bag 34 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 with the grommet 22 being placed on the hook 24 to maintain the bag thereon. If desired, the bag 34 can be secured to the bracket prior to the bracket being placed on the wearers shoulder. The hook element 24 positivelyprevents the strap 18 from becoming disconnected therewith since the weight of the bag will prevent the grommet 22 from disengaging with the hook. The bracket has a width substantial e on so that e b acl gt will np t ten to create un ue ressure on es ou er andc esto the wearer. Preferably, the bracket is comprised of a as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bracket in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bracket.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the bracket.

The bracket of this invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10 including an inverted U- shaped shoulder engaging hook portion 12 and a chest engaging portion 14 extending downwardly and outwardly from one of the legs of the hook portion. Asseen in FIG. 3, chest engaging portion 14 has a lower end portion 16 which extends outwardly with respect to the remainder of the portion 14 to prevent the lower end of the bracket from creating pressure on the chest of the wearer.

The numeral 18 refers to a flexible strap having one end thereof secured to the lower end of the portion 16 by a rivet 20 or the like. Strap 18 is provided with a grommet 22 at its other end which is adapted to be received on the hook 24 secured to the chest engaging portion 14 by rivet 26 or the like. I

In use, the hook portion 12 is extended'over the shoulder 28 of the person in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the chest engaging portion 14 does enpoly-parcobonate material which is marketed under the trademark Lexan. The strap 18 may be constructed of any suitable flexible material with a web material being the preferred material.

Thus it can be seen that a unique means has been provided which enables a person to carry a bag from his shoulder. The device permits the person to carry a greater number of bags than ordinarily possible and is extremely convenient to use. The device will not slip from the wearers shoulder due to the substantially broad width thereof. The broad width of the bracket also prevents undue pressure from being exerted on the chest and shoulder of the wearer. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described,

a shoulder bracket having a shoulder engaging hook portion at its upper end and a chest engaging portion at its lower end,

a flexible strap secured at one end to said shoulder bracket adjacent the lower end thereof,

a first fastening element on said strap at the other end thereof,

a second fastening element on said shoulder bracket spaced above the lower end thereof,

said first and second fastening elements being selectively connected together to form said strap into a loop element for supporting an article thereon,

said hook portion comprising an inverted U-shaped member having a pair of legs, said chest engaging portion extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower end of one of the legs of said U- shaped member, the lower end of said chest engaging portion extending outwardly with respect to the remaining portion thereof.

' 2. The device of claim l wherein said first fastening element comprises a grommet secured to said strap, said second fastening element comprising a substantially U-shaped hook element adapted to receive said grommet thereon. 

1. In a device of the class described, a shoulder bracket having a shoulder engaging hook portion at its upper end and a chest engaging portion at its lower end, a flexible strap secured at one end to said shoulder bracket adjacent the lower end thereof, a first fastening element on said strap at the other end thereof, a second fastening element on said shoulder bracket spaced above the lower end thereof, said first and second fastening elements being selectively connected together to form said strap into a loop element for supporting an article thereon, said hook portion comprising an inverted U-shaped member having a pair of legs, said chest engaging portion extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower end of one of the legs of said U-shaped member, the lower end of said chest engaging portion extending outwardly with respect to the remaining portion thereof.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first fastening element comprises a grommet secured to said strap, said second fastening element comprising a substantially U-shaped hook element adapted to receive said grommet thereon. 